System, method and device for floor and wall tile installation

ABSTRACT

An installation device for installing a plurality of tiles to a supporting surface without grout is provided. The installation device may include a generally planar base sheet forming a predetermined pattern of ridges, wherein intersecting ridges form a perimeter defining a tile cavity. The base sheet may form an adhesive opening within each tile cavity. A suitable adhesive may fill each adhesive opening so as to adhere the base sheet to the supporting surface as well as provide an adhesive region within each tile cavity for a predetermined tile received therein, whereby the ridges provide the joint between adjacent tiles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 62/022,083, filed 8, Jul. 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floor and wall tile installation and, more particularly, to a system that embodies a method and device for installing aligned floor and wall tiles without grout.

Current devices and methods for installing floor and wall tiles include filling grout in the joints between adjacent tiles and maybe using a device that temporarily guides the tiles into place, and then the device is removed so the grout can harden. Such methods and devices are labor intensive and have inherent grout-related drawbacks, including but not limited to, the misalignment of tiles caused by their shifting during the hardening process, cracking and crumbling of the grout which results in loose tiles, the collection of ground-in dirt and bacteria in the porous grout, requiring a complete rebuild when repairs are needed to a portion of the tiles, and the mess associated with grouting.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system that embodies a method and device for installing aligned floor and wall tiles without grout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an installation device for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout includes a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity.

In another aspect of the present invention, an installation system for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout includes an installation device having a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; an adhesive for filling each adhesive opening so as to form an adhesive region therein; and at least one predetermined tile dimensioned and adapted to snugly be received within each tile cavity and contact its adhesive region, wherein the installation device is an unitary construction of recyclable material.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, includes the steps of providing an installation device having a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; overlaying the second side on the supporting surface; filling each adhesive opening with an adhesive, forming an adhesive region extending from the supporting wall to at least the first side; and placing a predetermined tile snugly within each tile cavity so as to adhere to its respective adhesive region.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating tiling installation;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a first side of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a second side of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an installation device for installing a plurality of tiles to a supporting surface without grout. The installation device may include a generally planar base sheet forming a predetermined pattern of ridges, wherein intersecting ridges form a perimeter defining a tile cavity. The base sheet may form an adhesive opening within each tile cavity. A suitable adhesive may fill each adhesive opening so as to adhere the base sheet to the supporting surface as well as provide an adhesive region within each tile cavity for a predetermined tile received therein, whereby the ridges provide the joint between adjacent tiles.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include an installation device 30. The installation device 30 may be made of durable and resilient material including, but not limited to, rubber, various plasticized materials and the like, wherein said material may be adapted to provide a finished undersurface for floor or wall tiles. In certain embodiments, the installation device 30 may be made of recycled material. In certain embodiments, the material may have colors added to it. The installation device 30 may be a unitary construction made in roll format, formed by pressing, molding, additive manufacturing or the like.

The installation device 30 may include a base sheet 10 being generally planar and having a first side 22 and an opposing second side 24. The first side 22 may form a plurality of ridges 12 defining a predetermined pattern along a surface of the first side 22. The predetermined pattern may define a rectangular grid as illustrated in FIG. 2. In alternative embodiments, the predetermined pattern may vary depending on the resulting pattern of tiling a user desires, so long as there are spaced apart, intersecting ridges 12. By intersecting, it is to be understood that some ridges do not pass through or divide other ridges, but in some instance they abut each other, terminate at one another, and/or would pass through another ridge but for terminating beforehand leaving a gap therebetween. Intersecting ridges 12 may define a perimeter of a tile cavity. Each tile cavity may be dimensioned and adapted to receive a predetermined tile 18. Each tile cavity may form at least one adhesive opening 14 communicating the first and second sides 22, 24.

The second side 24 may be dimensioned and adapted to continuously contact a supporting surface 16, such as a floor or a wall.

The base sheet 10 may be adapted to provide a finished undersurface or backing for the plurality of the predetermined tiles 18 so that the plurality of ridges 12 are the joints between each tile 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The installation device 30 disclosed above may be provided. A user may hang the base sheet 10 along a vertical supporting surface 16 or overlay a horizontal supporting surface 16. Then the user may apply a sufficient adhesive 20 to the supporting surface 16 through and filling each adhesive opening 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby adhering the installation device 30 to said supporting surface 16. The adhesive 20 may be adapted so as to substantially fill each adhesive opening 14 including along a periphery thereof so as to form an adhesive region within each tile cavity. Each adhesive region may be at least flush with the first side 22 if not protruding into each tile cavity.

Then the user may place a tile 18 within the tile cavity so that each tile 18 contacts the adhesive region, adhering to the adhesive 20, whereby the installation device 30 becomes a permanent addition to the supporting surface 16, holding the tiles 18 within the plurality of tile cavities, so as the plurality of ridges 12 are the joints between each properly aligned tile 18.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An installation device for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising: a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity.
 2. The installation device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive substantially filling each adhesive opening, forming an adhesive region disposed within each tile cavity.
 3. The installation device of claim 1, wherein the installation device is an unitary construction of recyclable material.
 4. The installation device of claim 1, further comprising a predetermined tile snugly received within each tile cavity so as to adhere to the adhesive region.
 5. An installation system for installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising: an installation device comprising: a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; an adhesive for filling each adhesive opening so as to form an adhesive region therein; and at least one predetermined tile dimensioned and adapted to snugly be received within each tile cavity and contact its adhesive region, wherein the installation device is an unitary construction of recyclable material.
 6. The installation system of claim 5, wherein the recyclable material is colorable.
 7. A method of installing tiles to a supporting surface without grout, comprising the steps of: providing an installation device comprising: a generally planar base sheet having a first side and an opposing second side; a plurality of ridges formed along the first side in a grid-like pattern; at least one tile cavity, each tile cavity defined along its perimeter by intersecting ridges; and at least one adhesive opening formed within the base sheet, communicating the first and second sides, wherein each adhesive opening is disposed within each of the at least one tile cavity; overlaying the second side on the supporting surface; filling each adhesive opening with an adhesive, forming an adhesive region extending from the supporting wall to at least the first side; and placing a predetermined tile snugly within each tile cavity so as to adhere to its respective adhesive region. 